How the history of breakbeats shaped dance
To understand the magic behind the most important songs, it helps to take a look at the art of sampling and the history of breakbeats. In the early 1970s, DJ Kool Herc invented a technique in the Bronx that would revolutionize dance: he took two identical records and extended the purely rhythmic part of a song, the so-called break, by seamlessly switching back and forth between them. It was in these exact seconds, when the melody fell silent and only the drums and bass were pumping, that the dancers went wild. From this movement, the terms B-boy and B-girl emerged. Anyone dancing in a circle today is drawing on this legacy.
From dusty vinyl to digital battle
The classic anthems are characterized by raw, unpolished drum solos, driving congas, and energetic horn sections. They mostly originate from funk, soul, or early disco. Today's DJs often mix these foundations with modern electronic synthesizers, but keep the unmistakable syncopated rhythm. If you want to learn how to hold your own in the circle, you should also familiarize yourself with the etiquette. A look at the cypher in Hip-Hop and its unwritten laws will help you to move respectfully in the scene, in addition to choosing the right music.
